When it inherited a cornocopia of cars from previose railroads? The EL commuter trains used steam heat in the 1970s up to the discontinutaion of the Erie Commuter Train to Youngstown Ohio
Steam heat was the norm on May 1, 1971, with few exceptions. The first HEP-equipped equipment was leased (later puchased) C&NW long-haul bi-levels with 2 or 3 C&NW F7A's to pull them in about 1973 assigned to various short-haul routes out of Chicago. The conversion to HEP began about 1975.
Yes, but cars were eventually rebuilt with Head-End-Power (electric heat/lighting) supplied by the locomotive. I'm not sure of the exact date, but I think all old cars were converted or retired by the mid 1980s. Conversions and new HEP-equipped car orders started in the 70s though, there are multiple photos of the ancient GG1 electric locomotives hauling trains with a generator car to supply HEP to the train (GG1s had a steam generator, but no HEP inverter).
In Canada however, VIA Rail only started HEP conversions in the late 80s, and certain routes used steam-heated equipment until 1997.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
CandOforprogress2 When it inherited a cornocopia of cars from previose railroads? The EL commuter trains used steam heat in the 1970s up to the discontinutaion of the Erie Commuter Train to Youngstown Ohio
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
The changeover was well under way by 1977.
I remember travelling on the Eastbound Empire Builder in September 1977 which was steam heated and we had four SDP40F locomotives heading back to La Grange to have their engines and alternators fitted to F40PHR locomotives.
In Spokane WA we passed a Westbound Empire Builder which had two F40PH locomotives and I think an ex-GN steam heating boiler car.
M636C
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GG1s used by NJ transit had steam heat as far as I knew. Binghamton NY had a steam plant to keep sleeping cars warm while they waited for their next run so I would assume that GCT and Philly had a steam line to keep Amtrak hertigae car fleet warm overnight
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